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Koscielny: Arsenal were 'timid', blames it on...

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny has been speaking about his side's loss to Manchester United.

Arsenal lost 1-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, and manager Arsene Wenger bemoaned his side's 'nervous' first half display.

He is not the only one, with central defender Laurent Koscielny also admitting his side were not at the races early on.

Speaking to L'Equipe, the Arsenal centre-back said the heavy week - with wins over Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund - had taken it's toll.

"In the first half, we were a little timid. Second, it was better, Manchester United gave us the ball, but we had a little trouble offensively.

"They had played a lot of matches. Maybe physically, there has been a small drop in speed, but there is always a good atmosphere in the group."

He went onto vow Arsenal would come back stronger after the international break. Providing the Gunners can avoid their players picking up further injuries, he may just be right.

It has come at the right time for Arsenal, with Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker given time to recover from a virus, while an unusually below par Mathieu Flamini will have more chance to recuperate back to full fitness.

Dan Coombs

Dan Coombs is a writer who is keen to embrace the internet revolution. He first started writing for us in June 2011 and commenced his new role as Sports Editor in February 2012.
As a trained journalist he has met famous faces from Mr T to Boris Johnson. He once featured in an England World Cup music video too, but it did not make the charts.
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